Govt nod for commercial activities in restricted areas

While an official press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office following the meeting did not mention the development,a highly confidential copy of the agenda accessed by The Indian Express detailed the clearances. The copies are given only to the CM,the Forest & Environment Minister,the MoS,and the department Principal Secretary by the Chief Wildlife Warden and Member Secretary of the State Wild Life Board.

According to the document,the proposals cleared for allowing commercial activities in restricted areas of sanctuaries were of Essar Power Gujarat Ltd for its 1200-MW coal-based power plant and marine facilities,including jetty for coal import in 8-km proximity to the marine sanctuary.

Passing of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (rail line) from 700 metres of the Thol Wildlife Sanctuary was also cleared.

Three proposals pertained to the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) for allowing mining near the Nalsarovar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Two proposals were of Jaypraksh Associates for mining near the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary. Five proposals of Saurashtra Chemicals Ltd seeking permission for mining activities near the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary have also been accepted.

Other proposals were regarding diversion of 0.816 hector Jambughoda sanctuary land for drinking water project,diversion of 3 acres of Datiwada sanctuary land for BSF use,diversion of 0.7104 hector Jamnughoda forest land for road,and diversion of 1.4449 hector Balaram-Ambaji sanctuary land for the dedicated freight corridor project.

Two proposal were related to permission for removal of bamboo from the Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary and renationalisation of boundaries of the Balaram-Ambaji sanctuary.

As per the agenda copy,three issues were taken up in the meeting,during which 19 proposals were discussed.

The first pertained to the status of wildlife conservation in Gujarat while the two others were related to allowing diversion of forest and sanctuaries land for commercial purposes.